PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said that he was hopeful that Pope Francis will attend the decennial St Francis Xavier (SFX) Exposition at Old Goa starting from November 21 this year.
After discussion about preparations for the ensuing 45-day SFX Exposition at Old Goa, with Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao and Auxillary Bishop Simiao Purificacao Fernandes at the Bishop’s House, Altinho, Sawant informed that he has requested the Prime Minister to invite Pope to attend the sacred relics of SFX and formal invitation will be sent through the Union government.
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“There is confirmation but I am very much hopeful that Pope visit Goa to attend the event. I have written to the Prime Minister and invitation should go from the Union government,” Sawant said.
Sawant said that issues related to national and international VVIP guest list, infrastructure upgrade, overall arrangements etc were discussed during the meeting. He informed that being the international event, the Goa government has asked for Rs 300 crore from the Centre for the Exposition which is held once in 10 years.
The CM said that during the discussion, the Church heads made some suggestions to authorities such as to make changes in the surrounding and reduce congestion caused due to fair.organised on the sidelines of the event.
The State government has re-constituted a committee called “Exposition Secretariat” to monitor the day-to-day functioning and to oversee all activities related to the forthcoming Exposition. The “Exposition Secretariat” will meet again next month, after the conclusion of the monsoon session of Goa Assembly.
